Tissue paper weights and materials explained

GSM means grams per square metre: the mass of a one-square-metre sheet. A 17gsm paper weighs 17g per square metre; a 30gsm paper weighs 30g. It measures mass per area, not thickness, softness or strength directly.

Within a similar paper range, a heavier sheet often feels more substantial. Fibre composition, how the paper is made and any coatings also affect its behaviour. Two papers with the same GSM can have different thickness, opacity and resistance to tearing.

For 1,000 sheets of that size, the nominal difference is 4.55kg of paper. This is useful for comparing material use, but it is not a courier shipping-weight quotation.

For everyday clothing and accessories, test one sheet of 17gsm first. If you need greater visual coverage or prefer a heavier feel, compare 30gsm in the same size. Do not change the size, weight and folding method together or it becomes harder to see which change helped.

For very small gift boxes, a heavier sheet may create bulky corners. For darker products, a lighter sheet may let the product colour influence the appearance of a pale logo. Neither result is automatically wrong; decide which presentation suits your pack.

Paper choice and print design should be considered together. A simple logo repeat leaves much of the tissue unprinted. A flood background adds ink across a large area and may change the feel and visible show-through.

CMYK is available on both 17gsm and 30gsm in the online builder. A gradient does not automatically require the heavier stock. Artwork detail, coverage and the expected finish still need to be reviewed for the chosen paper.

30gsm should not be treated as a guarantee of complete opacity. Compare a sheet over a dark item, a light item and the actual box lining. A doubled layer can hide more of the contents, but also uses more material and changes packing time.

Read the colour guide for background choices and the printing guide for fine details and proof checks.

Acid-free describes the paper’s acidity; it does not mean waterproof, greaseproof or suitable for every object in long-term storage. For an order where material chemistry matters, request the specific stock information, including pH and buffering, instead of relying only on a product label.

Buffered tissue contains an alkaline reserve. Unbuffered tissue does not. The Canadian Conservation Institute recommends unbuffered, acid-free tissue for rolled textile storage and explains that alkaline buffers can affect some protein fibres and dyes.

For silk, wool, vintage garments, artwork or museum storage, ask for specialist conservation advice and the appropriate unprinted material. Everyday branded wrapping should not be assumed to be archival or to prevent jewellery tarnishing.

Our acid-free tissue guide goes into the questions to ask when the paper will stay in contact with a product for an extended period.

GSM alone does not make a paper greaseproof. A barrier to grease depends on the material’s construction or treatment. Increasing ordinary tissue from 17gsm to 30gsm does not turn it into a food wrapper.

Big Tissue’s wider range includes a 40gsm greaseproof option by enquiry; it is not a standard builder selection. Describe whether you need a tray liner, sandwich wrap or decorative outer layer so the proposed paper and print can be checked for that use.

• Identify the food and whether it is dry, oily, wet or acidic.
• Explain whether it touches the paper directly, and which side is printed.
• Give the contact temperature and expected time in the packaging.
• Ask for supporting food-contact information for the finished printed specification.

“Water-based ink”, “natural paper” and “greaseproof” are not substitutes for suitability of the whole printed product. Do not use standard tissue for direct food contact or heating unless that exact use has been confirmed.

The £20 sample pack contains 17gsm and 30gsm examples from past production runs, with delivery to UK mainland and Ireland included. It lets you compare feel and existing print quality; it does not approve your own artwork or a specialist food-contact specification.

1. Place each weight around the same representative product.
2. Check corners, folds and whether the sheet fits without pulling it tight.
3. Compare the visible logo against the product and box colours.
4. Close the box and open it again: look for excessive bulk, tearing or rubbing.
5. Record the preferred weight, size and number of sheets per pack for your quote.

If a product is rough, sharp, oily or fragile, choose a suitable protective inner package first. Printed tissue adds presentation and light separation; it is not a replacement for structural cushioning or a moisture barrier.

Keep unused sheets flat, covered and dry, away from direct sunlight, damp floors and strongly scented products. Bring out manageable stacks at the packing bench to reduce handling damage. Keep an approved sample and its order reference with your packing instructions.

Recycled content, responsible sourcing and recyclability describe different things. A sheet’s fibre source does not tell you whether a local collection accepts it after use. See the sustainability guide for the evidence to request and how to give customers useful disposal guidance.